Mets @ Dodgers Aug. 24, 2014: Welcome back (again), Hanley Ramirez

With all the injuries Hanley Ramirez has sustained this season, it’s hard to believe he’s only been on the disabled list once. And now he’s back, just as the Dodgers look to take the final game of this 3-game series against the Mets.

Mets

Dodgers

1:10 p.m.

Los Angeles

RF

Granderson

2B

Gordon

2B

Murphy

CF

Puig

3B

Wright

1B

Gonzalez

1B

Duda

RF

Kemp

C

d’Arnaud

SS

Ramirez

CF

Lagares

LF

Ethier

SS

Tejada

3B

Turner

LF

Young, Jr.

3B

Ellis

P

Colon (R)

P

Correia (R)

While Ramirez’s offense has been missed, it’s been awfully nice having plus-plus defense at shortstop. Since his last game played (Aug. 8), the shortstop rotation has broken down as such:

Having 70-grade defenders at shortstop for a 10-game stretch was nice. It could be a glimpse into what might happen following this season, but that’s another post for another time.

Arruebarrena was optioned back to High-A Rancho Cucamonga to make room for Ramirez. He’ll be recalled when rosters expand, but not until Sept. 3, unless there’s an injury, because optioned players must remain in the minors for at least 10 days before they can be brought back up.

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The Dodgers face Bartolo Colon today. This is significant for a few reasons — he’s good, he’s signed through next season and he was placed on revocable waivers yesterday. Despite acquiring such awesome pitchers in Roberto Hernandez and today’s starter Kevin Correia, the Dodgers could still use one more starting pitcher. Colon is the best available option. But, it’s unlikely he’ll make it to the Dodgers.

The only way he makes it through to the Dodgers’ claim position is if teams are scared off by next year’s $11 millions salary. It’s a paltry amount compared to what quality starting pitchers get these days, but Colon will be in his age-42 season. Not many pitchers (or players) get that deep into a career.

As we get closer to the final month of the season, and Dan Haren (2.70 ERA, 23 1/3 IP in his last three starts), is inching closer to that magical 180-inning mark. If he gets to that threshold, his 2015 option vests. He has already earned an extra $500,000 after making 24 starts. He’ll earn another $500,000 with his next start. Because of the injuries to the rotation, there isn’t going to be much of a chance to skip Haren. It’s looking more and more like his option will vest, which could give the Dodgers pause when thinking about claiming/trading for Colon.

Dustin Nosler began writing about the Dodgers in July 2009 at his blog, Feelin’ Kinda Blue. He co-hosts a weekly podcast with Jared Massey called “Dugout Blues.” He does contracts and depth charts for FanGraphs and is a contributor/editor at The Hardball Times. He graduated from California State University, Sacramento, with his bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in digital media. While at CSUS, he worked for the student-run newspaper The State Hornet for three years, culminating with a 1-year term as editor-in-chief. He resides in Stockton, Calif., and has yet to be shot.